• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1327-1340
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• 2009

The purposes of the study were (1) to identify the level of successful aging of older people living in a city, (2) to identify associated factors with successful aging, and (3) to identify a risk group for successful aging using classification and regression trees (CART) analysis. One hundred eighty seven older people (>65years) participated in the cross-sectional survey. Trained interviewers collected data with a structured questionnaire on demographic information, Korean geriatric depression score, activity of daily living(ADL), instrumental activity of daily living(IADL), and Young's successful aging instrument in subject's home. A CART analysis split subjects into ten homogeneous small groups based on five determinant factors. Older people who are male, with higher education, living with family, and not receiving Medicaid showed better scores in successful aging than their counter parts. Depression was a strong primary determinant for successful aging. A risk group for successful aging of older people was identified by depression and IADL. An intervention to prevent and manage depression and to improve physical function of older people can be developed to promote successful aging of older people. It is suggested to consider an assessment of depression to develop the policies for older people welfare.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.355-401
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• 2013

The first legislation for terminal health-care decision was California's Natural Death Act (NDA) of 1976 that permitted any adult person to execute a directive directing the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures. Advance directive legislation has subsequently progressed on a state-by-state basis. By 1992, all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, had passed legislation to legalize some form of advance directive. This state legislation, however, has resulted in an often fragmented, incomplete, and sometimes inconsistent set of rules. Statutes enacted within a state often conflict and conflicts between statutes of different states are common. In an increasingly mobile society where an advance health-care directive given in one state must frequently be implemented in another, there is a need for greater uniformity. In 1993, the Uniform Law Commissioners approved the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act (UHCDA) in order to bring order to the existing chaos. Unfortunately, the Commissioners waited too long to act. By the time the UHCDA was approved, nearly all states had passed legislation governing advance directives. Consequently, the UHCDA has achieved only a limited success, picking up but one or two enactments a year. The UHCDA is currently in effect in around 10 states: Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee, Wyoming. In these states the previous laws related to the subjects have been all repealed. The overall objective of the UHCDA is to encourage the making and enforcement of advance health care directives including living will or individual instruction, power of health-care attorney and to provide a means for making health care decisions for those who have failed to plan. The U. S. House of Representatives in 1991 enacted the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA). The Act stipulates that all hospitals receiving Medicaid or Medicare reimbursement must ascertain whether patients have or wish to have advance directives. The Patient Self- Determination Act does not create or legalize advance directives; rather it validates their existence in each of the states. Now in America, terminal health-care decision or advance directive for health care is common and universal system. The problem, however, is how to let more people use these good tools to make their lives more beautiful and honorable.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.29-48
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to analyze medical expenses by decedents in their last year of life and compare them with those by survivors during the year 2008. This study is conducted firstly in Korea, except some studies focusing on medical cost of decedents from specific diseases. To study this, national health insurance(NHI) claims data was used with medicaid claims data. The study group(decedents) was selected from the insurance entitlement file who were dropped out from January to December of 2008. The control group(survivors) was selected from the entitlement file by stratified sampling with keeping age-sex composition of the study group. The medical expenses of decedents during one year before death were measured and compared with those of survivors by sex and age. And the medical expenses were analyzed by causes of death, and also the expenses were examined by each item of medical services. On average, the medical expense amounted to 11 million Korean Won per decedent during their last year of life in 2008. The medical expense per decedent was 9.3 higher than that of survivor. The death-related expense of under the age 35 was about 16 million Won, compared with 4 million Won in the case of over the age 95, in average. The death-related expense is higher in younger ages. This means that more medical resources are put in to save life in younger ages. Total death-related expenditure took 8.3 percent in total NHI expenditures. Of the death-related medical expenses, the largest one was injection-related cost which shares twenty five percent, and the second largest one was hospitalization charges, and then the third one was surgery cost. The results of this study suggested that we should pay attention to the medical expenses in the last of year of life when we study health care expenditure in Korea. In addition, we have to deliberate health care policy to cope with medical expenditures before death in more efficient way.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.609-618
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• 2013

This study aims to identify utilization status of medical care and factors to affect quality of life in diabetes mellitus patients. The research selected 6,146 adults aged over 50, who appeared with EQ-5D, from the Korean health panel. We analyzed states of medical care utilization using descriptive statistics. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the main factors associated with quality of life in diabetes patients. The result shows that quality of life(EQ-5D) in diabetes is significantly associated with gender, age, insurance type, education level, household income, diabetes ambulatory medical cost and the number of ambulatory medical utilization for other diseases. Females, higher age, lower levels of education, medicaid, the lower household income, the higher diabetes ambulatory medical cost, and the higher the number of ambulatory medical utilization for other diseases were the significant factors of lower quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective social programs and individualized approach to improve the quality of life in diabetes patients. In the future, these findings can be used as important data for health care policy and assessment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.267-273
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• 2004

Objectives : This study was aimed at investigating the medical service utilization pattern of patients who use public medical aid compared to those who have health insurance. Methods : We selected every patient between the age of 18 and 69 who used public medical aid from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2001, in Gwangju metropolitan city, South Korea. For comparison, a list of patients with health insurance was gathered for same period. Then the medical records of those who had been hospitalized for acute appendicitis were selected among both groups. Of those records, we compared the number of cases of ruptured appendicitis to cases of whole acute appendicitis in both groups. Regarding coding for ruptured appendicitis, International Classification of Diseases - 10 (ICD-10) was used. Multiple logistic regression was used as a statistical tool to determine the effectiveness of risk factors. Results : Even after adjusting for risk factors, such as age and sex, the proportion of perforation of acute appendicitis among public medical aid patients was found to be significantly higher than among insured patients. Conclusions : This comparative study on ruptured appendicitis among public medical aid patients and insured patients, indicates that the proportion of perforation of acute appendicitis could be an index showing that these types of patients utilize medical services differently than insured patients. We know that when abdominal pain is not properly treated at the outset, it easily develops into ruptured appendicitis complicated with peritonitis. Considering this data analysis, we guess the public medical aid system to have significant problem with medical accessibility. So additional and systematic research on the pattern of utilization of medical services of public medical aid patients is needed.

• 한국노년학
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.595-609
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an eight session self-management support program for improvement of patient activation, joint flexibility and health-related quality of life among medical aid beneficiaries with osteoarthritis. This study was part of a randomized and controlled research of a self-management support intervention. Participants were 60 medical aid beneficiaries who agreed to participate in this study, and were assigned to an experimental group (n=30) or control group (n=30). The 8-session and tailored program led by a trained case manager with the patient-centered approaches and cognitive-emotional-behavioral skills. Analysis included change in scores, ${\chi}^2-test$, Fisher's exact test, t-test and ANCOVA. The results showed significant increase in patient activation, joint flexibility (shoulder and right knee) except health-related quality of life in the experimental group compared to the control group. The self-management support program indicated an effect on patient activation and joint flexibility. Further research is needed to examine the outcome in the long term(9 and 12-month follow up).

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.301-310
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• 2019

This study aims to examine eligibilities, services and delivery of services for the current end-of-life care and analyze the quality control of services for end-of-life care. We analyzed the literature and laws on end-of-life systems in Korean and the United States. Current end-of-life care, hospice and palliative care in Korea is being provided mainly in hospital setting. Quality control for the services focuses on setting the criteria for structures in hospitals (i.e. staffing, facilities and equipment). Whereas American end-of-life care system has much broader eligibility for service beneficiaries and provides care mostly at home. Also quality control for services includes process (delivering service) and outcomes, such as monitoring performance indicators and consumer's satisfaction. This is linked to annual payment. The comparative analysis findings contributed to give the next direction of current Korean end-of-life care system. It is nessary to establish the better and extensive end-of-life care system in Korea in considering other countries' end-of-life care systems based on more future research.

• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to identify factors affecting the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Methods: Six-hundred patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder were recruited from mental health welfare centers in Gwangju Metropolitan City and Gyeonggi-do. Subjects were categorized into two groups according to median DUP. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results: The mean DUP was 80.8 weeks, and the median DUP was 15.9 weeks. Patients with Medicaid, higher age, and longer duration of the schizophrenia prodrome were more likely to have a longer DUP. The DUP was shorter in patients who were consulted by family/relatives prior to treatment. Patients visiting university hospitals were more likely to have a shorter DUP compared with those visiting psychiatric clinics or small-sized mental hospitals, i.e., with less than 100 beds. A multivariate regression analysis showed that the duration of the prodrome was a factor that significantly affected DUP. Conclusion: The vulnerable group of patients with schizophrenia with a long DUP should be monitored closely. Moreover, it is necessary to develop a strategy to identify patients who have an insidious course of psychosis to reduce the DUP.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.1 s.25
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• pp.29-44
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• 1989

A household survey was conducted to determine the utilization rate of medical facilities and to identify the factors related with the utilization in the South District of Taegu from July 3 to July 15, 1988. Study population included 1,723 family members of 431 households which were selected by one-stage simple cluster random sampling. Well trained medical college students interviewed mainly housewives with a structurized questionnaire. Morbidity rate of acute illness during the 2-week period was 101 per 1,000 persons and it was highest in the age group of 9 years below. The rate for chronic illness was 77 per 1,000 persons, increasing with age, low income and medicaid benefit. During the 2-week period, 689 of 1,000 persons utilized the medical facilities. Of the facilities, most number, 294, used hospital and clinic, and the order ran as pharmacy, health center, and herb medical clinic. The utilization rate was higher in the female, 70-year and older group, medicaid group, the lowest income class and self-employed group than other groups. The average number of visits among users of medical facilities during the 2-week period was 3.25. those who visited medical facilities most frequently were females, the 70-year and older group, the lowest income class and blue collar worker group. During one-year period, admission rate of 1,000 persons was 27.6 and that of female was 38.9, higher than that of male. the eldest group had the highest admission rate. Admission rate of medical insurance beneficiaries was twice or higher than non-beneficiaries. The higher the family monthly income, the more frequently they admitted. During one-year period, average admission days of the persons hospitalized were 22.5 days and males were hospitalized longer than females. The groups which were hospitalized longest were those between the ages of 40 and 49, medical insurance beneficiaries, the lowest income group and unemployed group. During one-year period, average admission days of 1,000 persons were 560 days and those of female were 661 days, more than those of male. The guoups which had the longest admission days were those above 70 years of age, the lowest income and unemployed groups. The medical insurance beneficiaries were three times or longer than non-beneficiaries. In logistic regression analysis of utilization of physician significant independent variables were the 9-year and younger group(+), the 70-year and older group(+), acute illness episode(+), chronic illness episode(+), medical insurance beneficiary(+) and white collar workers(-). Acute and chronic illness episode(+), and medical insurance for government employees and private school teacher(-) were significant variables in analysis of utilization of pharmacy. In multiple regression analysis of the number of physician visits, siginificant variables were acute illnes episode(+), chronic illness episode(+), industrial, occupational and regional medical insurance beneficiary(+), white collar workers(-). Acute and chronic illness episode(+), and medical insurance beneficiary(-) were significant variables in analysis of the number of pharmacy visits. In logistic regression analysis of admission event, significant independent variables were the 9-year and younger group(+), the 70-year and older group(+) , chronic illness episode(+), and medical insurance beneficiary(+).

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 1989

In order to desirable attitudes of health subcenter personnel, affecting to utilization of a rural health subcenter for primary health care, a study carried out, through analyzing the specific survey datas of 228 out of 1151 total house-holders in a rural community, Su-Dong Myun, Yam-yang-ju kun, Kyung-Gi Do in Korea, and the medical re-cords of total out-patients of health subcenter in this district during 1981-1988. The following results were obtained: 1) The annual utilization rate showed decreasing tedency such as 723 per 1,000 inhabitants in 1981, 652 in 1982, 618 in 1985, 54H in 1984 and 341 in 1987, since 1981. 2) The utilization Rate in 1987 was unusually the lowest with 341 per 1,000 inhabitants in decreasing tendency, steadily. 3) In advatage on utilization of health subcenter for primary health care in a rural area, 68.8% of the respondents answered that it was in comprehensive health care with the highest rate and next order in near distance from living place with 16.7% in easy and simple process to utilize with 9.2% and in lower medical cost with 5.3%. 4) The order of desirable image of rural health subcenter personnel for primary health care was of good attitude(57.0%), of good skill(29.0 %) and of wide knowledge(14.0%), 5) The order of desirable image of doctor for primary health care in rural health subcenter was of good skill(.44.3%), of good attitude(36.8%) and of wide knowledge(18.9%), and nurse was of good attitude(76.8%), of good skill(14.0 %) and of wide knowledge(9.2%). 6) The percentage order by good attitudes of rural health subcenter personnel was the highest in responsibility(38.2%), kindness(26.3% ), proprieties(14.9%), sincerity(12.7%) and notion of duty hours(6.6%). 7) The statistical datas in health subcenter was written and kept, without distinction of definition of new and old patients, by month and for suitable method of medical expenses of medical insurance and medicaid by clerical convenience. 8) In future, the organization of health subcenter must be unified, systematized and rationlized for primary health care. Health subcenter must be organized by 3 parts of function(medical care, health service and clerical affair) and then function of health subcenter will be more activated by clerical activities.